Cornwall Council launches home repair loan scheme

Landlords and homeowners can borrow up to £25,000 to repair their homes in Cornwall

A loan scheme to help fund house repairs and energy saving improvements can be applied for by homeowners and private landlords in Cornwall.

Cornwall Council said the Home Improvement Loan was designed to help people who found it hard to get a loan from a regular bank - such as older residents, those with low incomes and people with health issues.

Landlords and homeowners can borrow up to £25,000 and park home residents can borrow up to £10,000 to fund roof and structural repairs, heating and hot water repairs or replacements and to tackle damp and rot.

Councillor Peter La Broy, Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing, said it wanted to help people make their homes "healthier to live in".

"Funding these improvements can be a problem for many - our loan scheme aims to fill the gaps for people who may not be eligible for other loans," he said.

The council said the loan scheme was an extension of a previous one which helped residents fund green energy updates.

Lendology CIC, which is a not-for-profit organisation, has been appointed to manage and deliver the loans on behalf of Cornwall Council.

The organisation works with several other local authorities to deliver similar schemes across the South West.